With the Dallas Cowboys beating the Seattle Seahawks, it helps tighten up the NFC East race. While the victory was by 10-points, 23-13, the win was not as great as it sounds. However, there were stars in the game. Here is a look at the top Dallas Cowboys performers in Week 9 of the NFL season.
All season, people have been clamoring for Dallas to run the ball more. DeMarco Murray is exactly what the doctor ordered. He broke 100 yards for the second game in the last three and is averaging 8.4 yards a carry in those games. A good running back averages 4.0 yards a carry and Murray is miles above that mark. He never quits moving his legs on runs and is the main reason that Dallas was able to get into scoring position every time they marched down the field. Even when Felix Jones returns, Murray needs to stay in the lineup because he is the man who will help Dallas win.
When you list a kicker as the second person on a top performers list, you figure there is a problem. Dallas has not had a consistent kicker for awhile but they found one in Bailey. After not getting an attempt in Week 8, he kicked three field goals against Seattle, which were important in the 10-point win. On the season, he is 17-of-18 with a long of 51. He has multiple field goals in every game but two this season.
Dallas Pass Defense
DeMarcus Ware was shut out this week without a sack and only Anthony Spencer recorded one. However, Dallas intercepted three passes in this game, Terrance Newman, Gerald Sensabaugh and Jason Hatcher all recording interceptions. These defensive performers ended Seattle's drives before the Seahawks could make things more difficult.
The Offensive Line
The offensive line gets a lot of grief for good reason. They can't open holes for the runners and leave Tony Romo scrambling for his life. In Week 9, Seattle did not sack Romo, the first game since Week 4 they didn't get to the quarterback. Romo never had to run too much, and when he did scramble, the line protected him. They also opened up some nice holes for Murray, as evident by his 139 rushing yards. They still failed to open up anything in the red zone, but they are improving.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has followed the Dallas Cowboys since he was a child, his favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s. Through the great years of the '90s and the hard times of the '80s, Shawn never turned his back on America's Team.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
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